Looking forward a lot to see how a top-shape Froome will do against a top-shape Contador next Tour. The only other rider since 2007 who has come close to climbing as good as Contador is Andy, but he's never really been an actual contender due to his awfull time-trialling and weak training morale in general. Froome is the first rider who can actually challenge the spaniard, granted that Sky's magical potion-mixture still works next july.
Please that was in TDF 2010, but now we don't see a battle between Schleck and Contador, don't forget the coming youngsters(Pinot-Rolland-Tejay-Quintana....)
And I think wiggins also could handle them because he chase the attacks better than Froome did, even if Froome is more endurant.
Well, noone will be able to tell if Wiggins and Froome fresh out of the pit, will be able to take Contador, but you have to remember that its not just Contador they have to go up against, they also have Rodriguez, Valverde and hopefully a Schelck in absolut topform with a "new super team" or the old Radioshack-trek team.
One thing is absolut certain though, SKY will have to fight and fight again for another win, and if Wiggins win then he has my respect.
Rodriguez and Valverde will never be real contenders for the Tour. No matter how strong they look/looked in this Vuelta.
Bushwackers wrote:
What a ride from Contador, well deserved win.
Not surprised to see Danny Pate in the breakaway today though, and I bet that if Contador didn't make that move, Danny Pate probably would have taken the stage win. Contador just changed the whole dynamic of the race, and Sky probably made Danny just drop back to help a struggling Chris Froome.
Looking at the other riders in the breakaway, this would have been an easy win for Danny. None of those guys can climb with Danny Pate (Boom, Duque, Terpstra, Ballan, Mondory), except for maybe a doped up Astarloza, but I'm still very skeptical of that.
Its frustrating because it was so painfully close to being his first GT stage win, and if the tactics had played out a little differently, Danny Pate could have broken the barrier that he has been pushing for so many years now.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Danny Pate snatch stage 19 though, as that one is perfect for him (lots of hills), or maybe try something on Bola del Mundo.
Bushwackers for president ! I'm sure if Pate didn't have to wait for Froome, he might have given it all, and who knows, maybe he'd have gained significant time back in G.C. and gotten a well-deserved Roja jersey.
That was probably the most spectacular stage i have seen since the Luz Ardiden stage in 2003.
Furthermore if Valverde keeps this level at next years TDF, then he should finally be able to get a TDF podium place.
For The first part, where did you put Le Galibier of Andy Schleck who taught contador this attack.
For The second part:WTF Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
Pierre Rolland,Jurgen Van Den Broeck,Bradley Wiggins,Christopher Froome,Vincenzo Nibali,Andy Schleck,Alberto Contador,Joaquim Rodriguez.Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler
and with Time Trial:Tejay Van Garderen,Maxime Monfort,Janez Brajkovic...
That was probably the most spectacular stage i have seen since the Luz Ardiden stage in 2003.
Furthermore if Valverde keeps this level at next years TDF, then he should finally be able to get a TDF podium place.
For The first part, where did you put Le Galibier of Andy Schleck who taught contador this attack.
For The second part:WTF Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
Pierre Rolland,Jurgen Van Den Broeck,Bradley Wiggins,Christopher Froome,Vincenzo Nibali,Andy Schleck,Alberto Contador,Joaquim Rodriguez.Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler
and with Time Trial:Tejay Van Garderen,Maxime Monfort,Janez Brajkovic...
I'm sure Contador has gone long range before...it's hardly a secret.
That was probably the most spectacular stage i have seen since the Luz Ardiden stage in 2003.
Furthermore if Valverde keeps this level at next years TDF, then he should finally be able to get a TDF podium place.
For The first part, where did you put Le Galibier of Andy Schleck who taught contador this attack.
For The second part:WTF Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
Pierre Rolland,Jurgen Van Den Broeck,Bradley Wiggins,Christopher Froome,Vincenzo Nibali,Andy Schleck,Alberto Contador,Joaquim Rodriguez.Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler
and with Time Trial:Tejay Van Garderen,Maxime Monfort,Janez Brajkovic...
Valverde would out TT rolland, Rodriguez and Voeckler
He would out climb Monfot, Brajkovic, VdB for sure
A TDF podium is entirely possible!!! Maybe not what should happen but its very reasonable
you have a very strange idea of what makes a good rider...
Andy's attack was good, not that exciting
Contador was much more exciting the next day to Huez. That was the best stage of the 2011 TDF.
That 03 stage to Ardiden was awesome! But not my personal favorite. Each to their own though
Oh and as someone pointed out Contador has been making long range attacks longer than Andy
That was probably the most spectacular stage i have seen since the Luz Ardiden stage in 2003.
Furthermore if Valverde keeps this level at next years TDF, then he should finally be able to get a TDF podium place.
For The first part, where did you put Le Galibier of Andy Schleck who taught contador this attack.
For The second part:WTF Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
Pierre Rolland,Jurgen Van Den Broeck,Bradley Wiggins,Christopher Froome,Vincenzo Nibali,Andy Schleck,Alberto Contador,Joaquim Rodriguez.Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler
and with Time Trial:Tejay Van Garderen,Maxime Monfort,Janez Brajkovic...
I'm sure Contador has gone long range before...it's hardly a secret.
Yes he did it, In TDF 2011 also, but he never succed,Andy do it and succed, that's the difference, it's the manner, Andy showed him the perfect timing and all.
That was probably the most spectacular stage i have seen since the Luz Ardiden stage in 2003.
Furthermore if Valverde keeps this level at next years TDF, then he should finally be able to get a TDF podium place.
For The first part, where did you put Le Galibier of Andy Schleck who taught contador this attack.
For The second part:WTF Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
Pierre Rolland,Jurgen Van Den Broeck,Bradley Wiggins,Christopher Froome,Vincenzo Nibali,Andy Schleck,Alberto Contador,Joaquim Rodriguez.Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler
and with Time Trial:Tejay Van Garderen,Maxime Monfort,Janez Brajkovic...
Valverde would out TT rolland, Rodriguez and Voeckler
He would out climb Monfot, Brajkovic, VdB for sure
A TDF podium is entirely possible!!! Maybe not what should happen but its very reasonable
you have a very strange idea of what makes a good rider...
Andy's attack was good, not that exciting
Contador was much more exciting the next day to Huez. That was the best stage of the 2011 TDF.
That 03 stage to Ardiden was awesome! But not my personal favorite. Each to their own though
Oh and as someone pointed out Contador has been making long range attacks longer than Andy
I'm sure Contador has gone long range before...it's hardly a secret.
Yes he did it, In TDF 2011 also, but he never succed,Andy do it and succed, that's the difference, it's the manner, Andy showed him the perfect timing and all.
Again Andy wasn't the first man to do a long range attack... Hell thats what a breakaway is!!
Contadors' today won him a GT, Andys' won him a stage
Andy's wasnt about perfect timing, it was bout him being the best climber and having to gain time for TT.
Contador did it cause he could! and cause he needed to crack Rodriguez
Valverde; 2 stage wins in this vuelta, up mountains
stage win in the tour, up mountains
wins in Andalucia, TDU and Paris-Nice
plus an extensive palmares of great Mountain and GC results
VdB; 4th in the TDF thanks (mostly) to the TT, the style of race and collapse/stupidity of other main riders and teams
A very good result granted
But i believe that on a climb of 15km or less Valverde could rip VdB to shreds. Longer than that i reckon Valv could hang on, but would just just sprint VdB in the last 1km or so
The man can stick with Contador and Rodriguez on any climb this Vuelta (pretty much). The 2 best climbers in the race, and currently in the world. VdB got dropped by Nibali in the TDF, and Wiggins and Froome. That puts him at best 4th best climber in the TDF, and thus in the world (all relevent to time obviously)
so thats at best 4th vs no doubt 3rd.... hmmm
now please respond with a valid argument or fuck off
That was probably the most spectacular stage i have seen since the Luz Ardiden stage in 2003.
Furthermore if Valverde keeps this level at next years TDF, then he should finally be able to get a TDF podium place.
For The first part, where did you put Le Galibier of Andy Schleck who taught contador this attack.
For The second part:WTF Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
Pierre Rolland,Jurgen Van Den Broeck,Bradley Wiggins,Christopher Froome,Vincenzo Nibali,Andy Schleck,Alberto Contador,Joaquim Rodriguez.Cadel Evans, Thomas Voeckler
and with Time Trial:Tejay Van Garderen,Maxime Monfort,Janez Brajkovic...
I'm sure Contador has gone long range before...it's hardly a secret.
Yes he did it, In TDF 2011 also, but he never succed,Andy do it and succed, that's the difference, it's the manner, Andy showed him the perfect timing and all.
Didn't he do it in Paris-Nice the day after he cracked? And hasn't the long range attack been done even before then (what was it, 2010?)? Chiapucci? I'm sure someone who's been concentrating for a lot longer could provide a wealth of examples.
Edited by wackojackohighcliffe on 06-09-2012 00:16
Yes he did it, In TDF 2011 also, but he never succed,Andy do it and succed, that's the difference, it's the manner, Andy showed him the perfect timing and all.
Didn't he do it in Paris-Nice the day after he cracked? And hasn't the long range attack been done even before then (what was it, 2010?)? Chiapucci?
i raise you one Charly Gaul in 1958!!! the ultimate long range attack
Edited by TheManxMissile on 06-09-2012 00:16
Valverde; 2 stage wins in this vuelta, up mountains
stage win in the tour, up mountains
wins in Andalucia, TDU and Paris-Nice
plus an extensive palmares of great Mountain and GC results
VdB; 4th in the TDF thanks (mostly) to the TT, the style of race and collapse/stupidity of other main riders and teams
A very good result granted
But i believe that on a climb of 15km or less Valverde could rip VdB to shreds. Longer than that i reckon Valv could hang on, but would just just sprint VdB in the last 1km or so
The man can stick with Contador and Rodriguez on any climb this Vuelta (pretty much). The 2 best climbers in the race, and currently in the world. VdB got dropped by Nibali in the TDF, and Wiggins and Froome. That puts him at best 4th best climber in the TDF, and thus in the world (all relevent to time obviously)
so thats at best 4th vs no doubt 3rd.... hmmm
now please respond with a valid argument or fuck off
more than four minutes to Tejay makes him a good time trialist.
Peter Velits finished Third at La vuelta 2010 if you don't count the TT, he is fifth so that's makes him the 5 most powerful Climber in the world at that time,Jurgen was fifth at the TDF, and he is the weakest TTrialist in the first ten(exept for andy and Rodriguez) so will you say that Velits and Vdb will make equal games. No sorry.And don't forget that Vdb lost almost 2 minutes in les belles filles
Yes he did it, In TDF 2011 also, but he never succed,Andy do it and succed, that's the difference, it's the manner, Andy showed him the perfect timing and all.
Didn't he do it in Paris-Nice the day after he cracked? And hasn't the long range attack been done even before then (what was it, 2010?)? Chiapucci?
i raise you one Charly Gaul in 1958!!! the ultimate long range attack
Contador couldn't see that attack due to the lack of technology back then
and for wackojaacko i said you plz give me when he succed before the Andy Stage.If you mean Paris-Nice he was caught by Cobom and Andy Schleck and lose the stage and Sanchez won Paris-Nice.
Valverde making a podium in the TDF ,wait let see the riders that are good than Valverde just in the mountain:
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
makes him a good time trialist. 
